Jobcentre Plus: Compensation

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many compensation payments Jobcentre Plus have made through their Special Payment Scheme in  (a) the UK,  (b) Scotland,  (c) the Highlands and  (d) Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey in each of the last three years; and how much was paid out in each area in each of those years.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Darra Singh;
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many compensation payments Jobcentre Plus has made through their Special Payment Scheme in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) the Highlands and (d) Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey in each of the last three years; and how much was paid out in each area in each of those years. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The Jobcentre Plus Special Payments Scheme is part of a wider scheme operated by the Department for Work and Pensions. Details are contained in the Financial Redress for Maladministration Guide, a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library.
	 (a) The number of compensation payments made across the UK and how much was paid out.
	
		
			  UK  special p ayments 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Number of decisions 5,140 4,718 7,844 
			 Amount paid (£) 1,778,600 1,958,100 2,858,300 
		
	
	(b) The number of compensation payments made across Scotland and how much was paid out.
	
		
			  Scotland  special p ayments 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Number of decisions 361 386 538 
			 Amount paid (£) 100,300 59,100 174,900 
		
	
	I am not in a position to provide a response to Questions (c) & (d). Details held on our database reflect the referring Benefit Delivery Centres and, in accordance with centralised processing, these offices cover large geographic areas beyond those specified in the question.